You are, of course, correct ---- more correct, in fact, than you probably know. In the course of my research, I have acquired the FBI files on numerous individuals who were associated with the FBI either as employees (Special Agents) or as informants. After they left the FBI these folks earned a lucrative living giving speeches, writing books and articles, publishing their own newsletters, etc.
The Bureau referred to this group as "professional anticommunists" because they earned their living from exploiting the fears of Americans about communism --- but without much regard for the accuracy of the information they disseminated.
Now, Moksha, here is the real problem: it is NOT the "padding" of their credentials. Frankly, that could easily be forgiven.
Instead, the problem is that these "professional anticommunists" often made horrific assertions about the loyalty and patriotism of fellow Americans and the people who listened to these alleged "experts" speak or read their writings BELIEVED those assertions---primarily because of the purported "expertise" which these people claimed for themselves. Sometimes, lives and reputations were ruined.
Very few of the victims had the stomach or the resources to sue for libel -- and, understandably, they did not want to give more publicity to the "experts" who made the charges.
However, some brave souls pursued libel lawsuits. One, in particular, produced a historic precedent-setting result, namely, Chicago lawyer Elmer Gertz who was the subject of a vicious article in the Birch Society magazine, American Opinion. After 14 years of litigation which included 2 different trials, several appeals, and review by the U.S. Supreme Court -- Gertz prevailed. The Birch Society paid him $100,000 in compensatory damages, and $300,000 in punitive damages. Punitive damages are only allowed when malice can be demonstrated, i.e. a reckless disregard for the truth.
Cleon Skousen chose to associate himself with the Birch Society -- not as a member, but as an endorser -- plus he spoke under the auspices of the Birch Society's Speakers Bureau. And many thousands of people believed what he had to say.
The next edition of my report on Skousen will include a detailed analysis of some of Skousen's writings which will show how, by selective use of evidence, and suppression of inconvenient data, he used his phony credentials to misinform the American public -- and in the process, he harmed civil discourse in our nation.
moksha wrote:http://ernie1241.googlepages.com/skousenIn Mr. Skousen's defense, he is not the only one who has ever lied about his credentials. Happens everyday on business resumes and on dating sites. That is not to say that it is not dishonest, but it is one way of making yourself stand out from the crowd when you are selling something. It happened and I forgive him. However, his product did hurt the lives of many that his group branded as traitors, communists and unamerican. Extreme products should come with a distinct warning label.
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